Movaizhaleine

Gabon is a country in Central Africa, located between Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. This former French colony, because of its significant oil reserves, is today one among the ten richest African countries, but, as things usually go, mostly in favor of the urban elite (most of the population still lives in the interior of the country, modestly, through agriculture).

Hip-hop collective Movaizhaleine was founded in Gabon by the beginning of the 90s, when Lord Ekomy Ndong and Maât Seigneur Lion were only high-school kids who loved to rap. In Libreville, the capital of Gabon, after winning several rap battles and local performances, and also appearing on a few Pan-African radio stations, Movaizhaleine becomes a sought after hip-hop attraction.

During the mid-90s, Lord Ekomy Ndong and Maât Seigneur Lion founded their own record label. The fact that their hip-hop included traditional Gabonese melodies and instruments maybe helped them the most on their road to fame and glory on the home front. Of course, as the lyrics are in the fore ground of any hip-hop act, their songs about the Gabonese paradox – a rich country of poor people, intrigued music critics.

Already by then, it was noticed that Movaizhaleine gave hip-hop in Gabon, and beyond, a certain new dimension. Moreover, their albums Mission en Mbeng (1998) and Mission Accomplie (2001) succeeded in reaching a wider audience not exclusive to hip-hop. Soon, the band becomes popular in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea… and today even in France. On the Street Musicians Festival, the African hip-hopers Movaizhaleine will be five strong and perform on Saturday, 5th September.